If you’re a book lover, Litsy might be the social app for you. The startup was founded by Todd Lawton and Jeff LeBlanc, who previously launched the book-themed clothing company Out of Print. Lawton told me the idea for Litsy came from connecting with Out of Print fans at events like book festivals and comic book conventions.… Continue reading Litsy is a book-focused social network that goes beyond reviews
Author: Robert E. Pascual
Facebook will announce chatbot and live chat APIs at F8
Chatbots could replace 1-800 numbers, and Facebook wants them on Messenger. But most businesses don’t have the resources or technical skills to build chatbots themselves. That’s why Facebook is currently providing developers with API tools to build chatbots and Live Chat web plugins for business clients, according to multiple sources and a leaked deck Facebook shared with… Continue reading Facebook will announce chatbot and live chat APIs at F8
Rapchat makes me the rapper I always knew I was
We covered Rapchat a little bit earlier this year, and I finally decided it was time to take it for a spin. I know I’ve got sweet rapping skills, and I know when it’s time to lay a sick beat and spit some fire, so that’s why I’m doing this in-depth review of Rapchat. Rapchat is… Continue reading Rapchat makes me the rapper I always knew I was
FBI says method used to unlock iPhone doesn’t work with iPhone 5s or newer
Slowly but surely, the FBI is releasing information about the method it used to unlock Farook’s iPhone 5c involved in the San Bernardino shooting. Now that the Justice Department has dropped the case, the FBI doesn’t have to disclose the mysterious method it used. First, the FBI disclosed this alternative method to some U.S. senators.… Continue reading FBI says method used to unlock iPhone doesn’t work with iPhone 5s or newer
Facebook adds video search to combat original content sharing decline
Facebook is desperate to get you to watch original videos. They’re all over the feed, yesterday it launched a dedicated video browsing hub, and now it’s announcing a video search engine. It’s also baking Live videos into its Trends in search, and will show when there’s a Live video broadcasting related to one of its… Continue reading Facebook adds video search to combat original content sharing decline
On-demand valet service Luxe confirms $50m investment from Hertz
As reported by TechCrunch in February, valet service Luxe has now confirmed that it has raised $50 million in Series B funding from car rental company Hertz. Redpoint Ventures and Venrock will also be participating in the round. Luxe also announced that Hertz Global Holdings CEO John Tague will be joining Luxe’s board. “Our investment… Continue reading On-demand valet service Luxe confirms $50m investment from Hertz
AirMap raises $15M Series A round to develop its airspace management system for drones
AirMap, a startup that provides drone operators with airspace information to let them know when and where they can fly, today announced that it has raised a $15 million Series A funding round. The round was led by General Catalyst Partners, with Lux Capital (which led the company’s $2.6 million seed round), Social Capital, TenOneTen… Continue reading AirMap raises $15M Series A round to develop its airspace management system for drones
Chatty fiction app Hooked gets an update where readers can write stories, too
Fiction app Hooked launched last fall, aiming to reinvent fiction with short stories modeled on text message conversations. Next up: Letting readers write their own stories. That arrives today with the launch of Hooked 2.0. Any Hooked reader can now create characters and then write their story one message at a time. They can also include… Continue reading Chatty fiction app Hooked gets an update where readers can write stories, too
Restaurant waitlisting app NoWait rolls out mobile payments
Restaurant waitlisting service NoWait is known best by consumers for its mobile app that lets you virtually “get in line” at nearby restaurants like Chili’s and others, where formal reservations may not be accepted. This helps speed up the time it takes to grab a meal, as you don’t have to waste time waiting for a table… Continue reading Restaurant waitlisting app NoWait rolls out mobile payments
Mizzen+Main racks up $3 million for menswear that feels athletic, looks tailored
Apparel makers Mizzen and Main LLC have closed $3 million in a modest Series B round of venture funding to ramp up inventory and sales of their signature menswear, according to founder and Chief Executive Kevin LaVelle. The Dallas, Texas-based startup is best known for combining the durable and breathable fabrics one would expect in… Continue reading Mizzen+Main racks up $3 million for menswear that feels athletic, looks tailored